Muscle Weakness of the Lower Limbs After Epidural Anesthesia in a Pregnant Woman With Undiscovered Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
February 2020
in “
Chinese Medical Journal
”
TLDR Undiagnosed lupus can cause severe complications after epidural anesthesia, leading to muscle weakness and potentially death.
A 29-year-old pregnant woman with undiagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) experienced severe complications, including muscle weakness in her lower limbs, after receiving epidural anesthesia for a cesarean section. Despite initial improvement with corticosteroid and hydroxychloroquine treatment, her condition deteriorated, leading to her death on postoperative day 38. This case highlighted the importance of considering systemic diseases like SLE when neurological deficits occur post-epidural anesthesia and the need for early involvement of experienced physicians in managing pregnant patients with multiple symptoms.
